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Is a Miniature American Shepherd Right for Your Family?

It's probably no surprise that we absolutely love Miniature American Shepherds.

 

They're beautiful, incredibly smart, funny, affectionate and so devoted to their people. There's something about the way a MAS wants to be involved in whatever you're doing that really made our family fall in love with the breed.

 

But loving a breed also means being honest about what it's like to live with one. And as much as we love them, a Miniature American Shepherd isn't necessarily the right dog for every family.

 

So if you're considering one, here's what I think is most helpful to know.

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They Really Want to Be With Their People

One of my favorite things about our dogs is how much they genuinely enjoy being with us. If you're going somewhere, chances are your MAS would like to come too. Working outside? They're interested. Going for a walk? Absolutely. Taking a road trip? They're ready. Sitting on the couch watching a movie? They'll probably find a spot near you for that too.

They're very people-oriented dogs, and many become incredibly devoted to their family. That's wonderful if you're looking for a dog who really feels like a companion. If you're hoping for a very independent dog who is perfectly content doing their own thing most of the time, a MAS may not be what you're looking for.

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They're Smart - Sometimes Very Smart

MAS are intelligent little dogs. They tend to learn quickly, which makes training them a lot of fun. They can enjoy obedience, tricks, agility and other dog sports, but they certainly don't need to compete in anything to put that intelligence to good use. Everyday life gives them plenty to figure out. And one funny thing about living with them is just how quickly they learn your routines - including routines you didn't realize you were teaching them. Do something the same way or around the same time often enough and there's a pretty good chance your MAS is going to decide that's simply what we do now. Our dogs know when it's getting close to meal time and aren't shy about reminding us. They know when we're settling down for bed. Even things that have nothing to do with them can become part of their routine. When it's time for me to leave to pick up my kids, they know it and are ready to go because riding along has become part of what we do. Sometimes I think they know what's supposed to happen next before I do. It's one of those MAS quirks you'll probably either find completely endearing or a little annoying. We happen to laugh at it, but if you don't want a dog keeping track of your daily schedule and occasionally informing you that you're running late, it's worth knowing.

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That's the flip side of having such an observant, intelligent dog. They don't only learn the things you intentionally teach them. They're always watching, noticing patterns and figuring out how life works around them.

Consistency and clear expectations go a long way with them, because whether you mean to be teaching something or not, there's a good chance they're learning it.

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They're Active, But That Doesn't Have to Mean Constant Motion

This is something I think people sometimes misunderstand about herding breeds. Miniature American Shepherds are active dogs. They aren't generally going to be happiest spending their entire lives lying on the couch with no exercise or mental engagement. They need opportunities to move, play, explore and use their brains.

 

But I also don't believe a well-rounded companion MAS should need to be entertained every waking minute of the day. That's one reason we value the ability to settle so much. We love a dog who is excited to hike with you, play outside, learn something new or head out on an adventure but who can also come home and relax with the family.

 

That balance is something we really appreciate in our own dogs and something we keep in mind when making breeding decisions and raising our puppies.

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They Don't Need a Farm

We live in a rural setting, but you certainly don't have to own acreage to have a happy Miniature American Shepherd. We've had puppies go to all kinds of homes and lifestyles. What's much more important than the size of your property is what you're actually going to do with your dog.

A MAS living on 20 acres but receiving very little interaction isn't automatically happier than one living in a neighborhood whose person takes them on walks, trains with them, brings them along on adventures and includes them in everyday life. A fenced yard is wonderful, but a yard by itself isn't enrichment. These dogs really enjoy doing things with you.

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They Can Have Herding Dog Quirks

They're called shepherds for a reason. Individual dogs of course vary, but MAS can show some very normal herding breed behaviors. They may want to keep track of where everyone is. Some may try to herd children or other animals. Some are very aware of movement. Some can be naturally watchful. And yes, some like to use their voices. They can be alert barkers, particularly when someone arrives or something interesting is happening outside. Early training and socialization help tremendously, but it's important to understand that you're still bringing home a herding breed. We don't want families expecting a MAS to behave like a breed that was developed for an entirely different purpose.

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They Can Be Sensitive

This is actually something I really love about many of our dogs.

MAS can be very tuned in to their people. They often respond beautifully to praise, encouragement and a good relationship with the person training them. Many really want to get things right. But that sensitivity can also mean that overly harsh training isn't necessary and may actually be counterproductive. We tend to love that combination of intelligence, biddability and connection with people. Clear expectations absolutely matter. Puppies need boundaries. But training doesn't have to be harsh to be effective.

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Socialization Matters

MAS can naturally be a little more aware of their environment than some breeds, so thoughtful early socialization is important. And socialization doesn't mean your puppy needs to greet every person and dog they see.

We want puppies learning how to experience the world confidently observing different people, sounds, surfaces, places and situations while also learning that they don't have to interact with everything.

Some MAS are naturally outgoing little social butterflies. Others may be more reserved with strangers while being incredibly affectionate with their own people. There's room for both.

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They Can Be Wonderful Family Dogs

One of the things we love most about the breed is how well they can fit into family life. Our dogs live right alongside our family, and that's the kind of life we hope for our puppies too. A MAS can be a hiking buddy, kid's best friend, travel companion, backyard playmate, dog-sport partner and couch snuggler sometimes all in the same dog. As with any breed, young children and dogs should always be appropriately supervised and children need to learn how to respectfully interact with a puppy. But for families who want their dog genuinely involved in their lives, there is so much to love about this breed.

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Coat & Grooming

That beautiful fluffy coat does require some care. MAS have a double coat and they do shed. Regular brushing helps keep the coat healthy and reduces loose hair around the house, particularly during heavier seasonal shedding. They don't generally need complicated grooming, but if you're looking for a dog that doesn't shed, this isn't that breed.

For our family, the beautiful coat is worth the tumbleweeds.

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Every MAS Is Still an Individual

This may be the most important thing I can tell you. Reading about a breed tells you what tendencies you might expect. It doesn't tell you exactly who an individual puppy will become. Within the same litter we can have one puppy who runs headfirst into every new experience and another who likes to watch before joining in. One may want to be touching someone constantly while another loves people but has a little more independence. Neither is better. They're just different. That's why we spend so much time getting to know our puppies as individuals and why temperament is such an important part of our placement process.

We aren't simply trying to find someone who wants a Miniature American Shepherd. We're trying to help a family find their Miniature American Shepherd.

 

So... Is a MAS Right for You?

 

A Miniature American Shepherd may be a wonderful fit if you're looking for a dog who is:

     - Intelligent and enjoys learning

     - Affectionate and devoted to their people

     - Active and ready for adventures

     - Fun and playful

     - Capable of participating in dog sports or training if that interests you

     - Happy being involved in everyday family life

     - Small enough to be very portable while still feeling like an athletic, capable dog

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You should probably think a little harder about the breed if you're looking for a dog who requires very little interaction, exercise or training; if barking is something you absolutely cannot tolerate; if you don't want shedding; or if you prefer a very independent dog.

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And that's okay. There are so many wonderful dog breeds, and finding the right one matters much more than convincing yourself that the breed you initially fell in love with is the one you have to have.

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Why We Love Them

For our family, it really comes back to companionship. We love having dogs who want to share life with us.

 

They're smart enough to make us laugh, active enough to go wherever we're going, beautiful enough that strangers regularly stop to ask what kind of dog they are and at the end of the day, they just really love their people.

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That combination is what made us fall in love with Miniature American Shepherds. And for the right family, I think they're pretty hard not to fall in love with.​